Rockport-Fulton Area Attractions

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to protect the vanishing wildlife of coastal Texas. It is an ever-changing land and is still being shaped by the waters and storms of the Gulf of Mexico.
This 70,504-acre refuge is made up of the Blackjack Peninsula, named for its scattered blackjack oaks, and three satellite units. Grasslands, live oaks, and redbay thickets cover deep, sandy soils. Ringed by tidal marshes and broken by long, narrow ponds, Aransas is home for cranes, alligators, deer, and many other species of wildlife.
You will find the refuge to be an excellent place for observing and studying wildlife and plants. The following facilities are available for visitors:

16-mile, paved tour road.

Wildlife Interpretive Center.

40-foot observation tower.

Several miles of walking trails.

Picnic area.

Fulton Mansion - George and Harriet Fulton must have amazed their neighbors when they began construction in 1874 on their spacious and extravagant home overlooking the Aransas Bay. Completed in 1877, the house featured ornate trim work and furnishings and the latest technological conveniences including modern plumbing, central heating and a gas lighting system. Restored in the early 1980s, the architectural landmark is open for visitors. Staff at the mansion will greet you with warm Texas hospitality that mirrors the graciousness originally extended by the Fultons.

Goose Island State Park - Goose Island State Park, 321.4 acres, surrounded by the St. Charles and Aransas Bays, is located north of Rockport in Aransas County. Although located on Aransas Bay, there is no swimming area at this park. The shoreline is comprised of concrete bulkhead, oyster shell, mud flat, and marsh grass. The main recreational activities are camping, excellent birding, and fishing (the park participates in the "Loan A Tackle Program" and lends out fishing tackle to visitors.) Other activities include picnicking, boating (motors allowed), nature study, wildlife observation, and photography. Tours: Guided nature hikes are held year round. Guided birding tours are held from January through April.

Rockport Center for the Arts - Rockport Center for the Arts boasts a state-of-the-art main gallery as the result of building renovations and expansions in 1998 and 2000. The two parlor galleries are now dedicated entirely to the works of its member artists, while the main gallery allows the Center to broaden its horizons. The invited and curated exhibitions in this gallery include the works of regional, national, and internationally acclaimed artists (which does not exclude some of Rockport's own outstanding artists). In 2000 the Garden Gallery was added, allowing the Center for the first time to simultaneously feature three distinct exhibitions, at times displaying over 100 original works of art.

Texas Maritime Museum - The Texas Maritime Museum's mission is to excite and educate the public about Texas' rich maritime history. Since the days of the Karankawa Indians, the Texas Coast has been a valuable part of history regionally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.

Aquarium at Rockport Harbor - The mission of the Aquarium is to provide an educational and entertaining visitor experience, for both adults and children, and promoted the understanding, conservation, and stewardship of the marine resources and environments along the Texas Gulf Coast. Theme-based aquariums provide visitors with views of jetties, oyster reefs, offshore rigs, and seagrass meadows. Additional smaller tanks offer special environments for local species as required. Display cases display shell collections, numerous hands-on activities are available for children, and ample free literature covers the gamut from hurricanes to safe boating and from fish IDs to fish recipes.

Featured for June - 1st LAC Attack Kayak (Catch, Photo and Release) C.P.R Fishing TournamentJune 4 - Love to fish? Love to kayak? Then this tournament is for YOU! Registration Open to the Public!Friday, June 3, 2016 at 6 p.m. - Captain's Meeting at Poor Man's Country Club (1009 Hwy 35 N)Saturday, June 4, 2016 - Tournament Day! Weigh-In and Awards Celebration beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Woman's Club of Aransas County (1104 E. Concho - across
the street from the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce)
FMI: Shelly Stuart 361-729-6445 or
www.rockport-fulton.org

Featured for June - 7th Annual Fishing Tournament and Music FestJune 17-18 - Two Day Music Pass -$20
Fulton Harbor Park 402 N. Fulton Beach Rd. Fulton TX
For more info on Tournament and Musicfest 361-815-5752 or
www.texasgamewarden.com

Audrey's Day at the BeachJune 11, 10am - This annual free event is held for families of adults and children with Downs Syndrome as day of fun and food the Saturday before Fathers Day.
Kite flyers invited to make these "special kids" and families a great day at the beach. Over a decade of providing the joys of kites for this group continues.....all
kite enthusiasts welcome.
FMI 361-729-2529 or visit Audrey's Day at the Beach on facebook.

Free Fishing Day (at all state parks)June 4 - Kick off summer with free fishing fun for all. You can enjoy the Free Fishing in State Parks program at more than 50 state parks, and at numerous
Wildlife Management Areas across Texas.To do that, Texas Parks & Wildlife has waived the normal fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside
the property boundary of a Texas state park. Once you've paid the park entrance fees, no one needs a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater,
adult or child, as long as they're inside the state park. However, bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply, and be enforced.
For more information:
www.tpwd.texas.gov

Relay for Life of Rockport-FultonJune 11, 6pm-1am - Join us as we celebrate our local cancer survivors, Remember those we have lost and fight cancer in our community. Rockport-Fulton High
School Stadium.
FMI
www.relayforlife.org/rockportfultontx

Texas Maritime MuseumSummer Experience in Aransas (SEA) Camp - is for current (2015-16) 1st-5th graders between 9am - 12pm where the children will experience all of the best of Aransas County Attractions in a variety of age
related activities including fishing, kayaking, sand sculpting, history and wildlife experiences. This is FREE for all Aransas County residents and students due to
the generosity of the Margaret Sue Rust Foundation, and $50 for all non-residents. Spaces are limited.June 13-17 (1st - 2nd)June 20-24 (3rd)July 11-15 (3rd - 4th)July 18-22 (1st - 2nd)July 25-29 (5th only)H2Odyssey Camp - is all about the properties and different uses of the element water. Each day is filled with new and different activities and lessons and
concludes with water games. Friday is spent at the community pool. For current grades K-5th (2015-16 school year) there is a $75 registration fee. 10 scholarship have been
awarded due to the generosity of the Coastal Bend Foundations Kids Go to Camp 2 Grant, along with sibling assistance discounts being offeredJune 13-17 (K-5th)June 20-24 (K-5th)July 11-15 (K-5th)July 18-22 (K-5th)
Texas Maritime Museum is open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 1-4pm. For membership, information, and other activities: 361-729-1271 or
www.texasmaritimemuseum.org

Fulton MansionJune 14, 7pm -8:30pm - Music at the Mansion - Enjoy this free event with live music on the mansion lawn. Be sure to bring your blankets/lawn chairs.
Mansion hours are Tue-Sat 10am - 4pm and Sun 1-4pm. Visit the Education and History Center Tues-Sat 9:30-4:30pm.
FMI and other activities please call 729-0386 x21 or
www.visitfultonmansion.org

Rockport Center for the Arts
Free Family Saturdays at the Center. Open to AllJune 18 - 4;30 pm Gallery WalkJune 18 - 5pm - Reception Joey Blazek Exhibition. A signature painting will be chosen (for the July 2 -3 43rd Annual Rockport Art Festival) and
limited copies will be signed. Remaining posters will be sold at the Art Center.
Hours of operation are Tues -Sat 10am -4pm and Sun1-4pm.
FMI:
www.rockportartcenter.com or 361-729-5519

History Center of Aransas County
All Exhibits and Activities open to the public. Open Fridays and Saturdays - 10am -2pm
June 4 - Plant Exchange 10-12; Herb Sale 10-2
June 3, 10, 17 (Fridays) and June 4, 11, 18 (Saturdays) - Exhibit 1845: The Annexation of Texas to the U.S.
June 24 - The Art Colony of Aransas County
June 25 - The exhibit opening of "The Art Colony of Aransas County"
History Center is located at 801 E. Cedar.
Hours of operation: Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am - 2 pm. Free Admission.
FMI:
www.aransashistorycenter.org or 361-727-9214

Goose Island State Park
Every Saturday - Children's Hike - Meet at 8:30 at Warbler Way
Every Saturday - Geocaching 101 - Meet at 2:30 at the Day Use area.
Ask about the Bird walk program
For information on park programs 361-729-2858 or visit:
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island/park_events

Community Aquatic and Skate Park
Pool is open at 10am. The park houses an 8 Lane, 25 yard pool and diving area, a whale shaped zero depth entry children's pool with slides and sprays, a
bathhouse and a 6000 sq. ft. modular skate park. It also has a playground, picnic area, and a ¼ mile nature trail.
361-727-9989 FMI:
www.cityofrockport.com/118/Community-Aquatic-Skate-Park

Fulton Trolley
Come on and take a Free Ride!
Air-conditioned and fun for sightseeing or visiting the local businesses in the Town of Fulton.
FMI and schedule times: 361-729-5533 or
info@fultontexas.org

Aransas Pathways
Birding, History, Kayaking and Hike and Bike Trails. Pathways Center and Bridge at Tule Creek - Open Air Pavilion with interpretive
signage explaining all aspects. Located immediately north of Walmart.www.aransaspathways.com

Birding and Dolphin Tours
Information on Dolphin and birding adventures can be obtained by contacting the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce 1-800-242-0071

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
(Voted the #5 birding spot and # 5 National Wildlife Refuge in the USA for USA TODAY Readers Choice)
The refuge is open 7 days per week, from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Visitor Center is open Thurs - Sun, 9am - 4pm.
FMI visit
www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas

What communities are we close to?
We are located in Rockport, TX but within a short drive to the Coastal Bend cities of Fulton, Aransas Pass, Sinton, Port Aransas, Gregory, Ingleside, Portland, Lamar, Beeville, Alice, Falfurrias, Refugio, Corpus Christi, Taft, Goliad, Kingsville, Raymondville, Odem, Robstown and Aransas County.